Musical Monday (58): "Love Came Down at Christmas" + "Sleigh Ride"

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

This week's songs are "Love Came Down at Christmas" by Jars of Clay and "Sleigh Ride" by Relient K. I was too busy to pick a song last week, and since this is the last Monday before Christmas, I am posting two songs to make up for lost Christmas music listening time.

I posted both of these songs last year, and I am posting them again because I like them. "Love Came Down at Christmas" is based on a poem by Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet. Rossetti is perhaps most well-known for her poem "Goblin Market," but she also wrote many devotional poems. I did some research on her this semester, and I believe her brother William Michael Rossetti calls her a "Puritan" among Victorian Anglo-Catholics (meaning a branch of the nineteenth century Anglican church that emphasized tradition and rituals) in his "Memoir" attached to The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti. But I don't have the book in front of me. Rossetti's biography aside, the lyrics of this song articulate the meaning of Christmas beautifully, and Jars of Clay sets them to a catchy tune.

As for the second song, "Sleigh Ride" is one of my  favorite Christmas songs. Also, I believe I've mentioned that Relient K is one of my favorite bands. Thus, I really like this song.

Merry (early) Christmas! What are your favorite Christmas songs?

Wishing you a Merry Monday,